Video cribbage

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using a plurality of cards. The game includes a wager placed by the player and a player hand including at least four cards. A player score is calculated for the player hand according to a set of cribbage rules. The player receives a payout based on the wager if the player score exceeds a predetermined total. The payout preferably increases as the player score increases based on the odds of achieving a given player score. The game may include an initial player hand, with the player replacing between none and all of the cards from the initial player hand to create the player hand. The game may be played using a video display or live.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games of chance, and more specifically to acard game wherein a player is awarded a payout for a hand scored using aset of cribbage rules if the score exceeds a predetermined total.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video poker games have become exceedingly popular. In a typical videopoker game, a player is dealt a certain number of cards, and has aone-time option to replace between none and all of the cards. The playeris awarded a payout based on various paytables for achieving a handhaving a given poker rank. Given the popularity of video poker, numerousvariations to this basic structure have arisen.

Cribbage is a card game having a historically successful publicfollowing, albeit in a non-casino environment. In a traditional game ofcribbage, players play against one another, accumulating points based ona well-established cribbage scoring system. The object of the presentinvention is to provide a video-poker type game employing certainaspects of the game of cribbage in order to capitalize on the popularityof both games to increase revenue for casinos while providing immenseplayer enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using aplurality of cards, with each of the cards having a rank and a suitassociated therewith. The game includes a wager placed by the player anda final player hand including at least four cards. A player score iscalculated for the final player hand according to a set of cribbagerules. The player receives a payout based on the wager if the playerscore exceeds a predetermined total. Preferably, the payout increases asthe player score increases. For example, the payout may increaseaccording to the odds of achieving a particular player score. The gamemay include an initial player hand of at least four cards, with theplayer replacing between none and all of the cards from the initialplayer hand to create the final player hand. The game may be played on avideo display or on a tangible display without changing the inventiveconcept.

The player score is calculated using a set of cribbage rules. In oneaspect of the invention, the set of cribbage rules includes a ruleawarding points for each combination of cards from the player handhaving ranks which sum to fifteen. In another aspect of the presentinvention, the set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding points foreach pair of cards from the player hand having the same rank. In yetanother aspect of the present invention, the set of cribbage rulesincludes a rule awarding points for each card from the player hand in arank sequence of three or more cards. In still another aspect of thepresent invention, the set of cribbage rules includes a rule awardingpoints for three cards from the player hand being of the same suit. Thepresent invention may further award additional points for four cards ofthe player hand being of the same suit.

The present invention also provides a video cribbage game for play by aplayer using a plurality of symbols, preferably playing cards. The gameincludes a wager placed by the player and a player hand including foursymbols. A player score is calculated for the player hand according to aset of cribbage rules. The game further includes a paytable including aplurality of scores. The player is awarded a payout based on the wagerif the player score matches any of the plurality of scores included onthe paytable. The paytable is preferably generated based on the odds ofachieving each of the plurality of scores.

The present invention further provides a method of playing a wageringgame using a group of symbols, preferably playing cards. First, a wageris placed by a player. Next, a final player hand is distributed to theplayer, with the final player hand including at least four symbols. Aplayer score is then calculated for the final player hand according to aset of cribbage rules. Finally, a payout is awarded based on the wagerto the player if the player score exceeds a predetermined total. Thepayout preferably increases as the player score increases according tothe odds of achieving a particular player score. Distribution of thefinal player hand may include a number of steps. First, an initialplayer hand may be distributed to the player, with the initial playerhand preferably including at least four symbols. Next, the player isallowed the option to discard one or more symbols from the initialplayer hand. Finally, replacement symbols may be distributed asnecessary to create the four-card final player hand. The method may becarried out using a video display or a tangible display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a video display incorporating a game accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic of another aspect of the game according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 b is a schematic of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 a followingreplacement of cards from an initial player hand;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart presenting a method of playing a game according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart presenting an alternative method of distributing aplayer hand which may be used in conjunction with the method presentedin FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 presents a schematic of a videodisplay 10 incorporating the preferred embodiment of a game according tothe present invention. While the game is described herein for play usinga video display 10, i.e., “video cribbage,” it should be appreciatedthat the game could be played live using a tangible display includingphysical playing cards and a gaming table without changing the inventiveconcept. A wager 12, shown in FIG. 1 to be “5 credits,” is placed by aplayer (not shown). A player hand 14 is then provided to the player; asshown in FIG. 1, the player hand 14 includes four cards: 5 clubs, Jclubs, Q clubs, and K clubs. However, it should be appreciated that theplayer hand 14 could include more than four cards within the scope ofthe present invention. The cards making up the player hand preferablycome from a standard deck of fifty-two cards, with each card having arank and a suit associated therewith as known in the art. However, anygroup of symbols having a rank and a suit may be used to play the gamedescribed herein.

According to the present invention, a player score 16 is calculated forthe player hand 14 according to a set of cribbage rules. In thepreferred embodiment, the set of cribbage rules includes at least thefollowing rules: Rule 1) two points are awarded for each combination ofcards having ranks which sum to fifteen (i.e., 9 clubs+6 spades, or Khearts+2 hearts+3 diamonds); Rule 2) two points are awarded for eachpair of cards having the same rank (i.e., Q hearts+Q diamonds, or 2spades+2 clubs); Rule 3) one point is awarded for each card in a ranksequence of three or more cards (i.e., 2 spades+3 spades+4 hearts=3points, 1 point for each card in the rank sequence); Rule 4) threepoints are awarded for three cards of the same suit (i.e., 2 clubs+5clubs+J clubs); and Rule 5) four points are awarded for four cards ofthe same suit (i.e., 2 hearts, 3 hearts, J hearts, K hearts).

It should be noted that four sequentially-ranked cards, such as 10clubs, J clubs, Q clubs, K clubs, will be scored as follows under Rule3:

10 clubs + J clubs + Q clubs + K clubs 4 points 10 clubs + J clubs + Qclubs 3 points J clubs + Q clubs + K clubs 3 points Total (under Rule3): 10 points That is, a player not only receives 4 points for having foursequentially-ranked cards, but also 3 points for each of the two sets ofthree sequentially-ranked cards. Similarly, four cards of the same suit,such as 2 hearts, 4 hearts, 8 hearts, Q hearts, will be scored asfollows under Rules 4 and 5:

2 hearts, 4 hearts, 8 hearts 3 points (Rule 4) 2 hearts, 4 hearts, Qhearts 3 points (Rule 4) 2 hearts, 8 hearts, Q hearts 3 points (Rule 4)4 hearts, 8 hearts, Q hearts 3 points (Rule 4) 2 hearts, 4 hearts, 8hearts, Q hearts 4 points (Rule 5) Total (under Rules 4 and 5): 16points

That is, a player not only receives 4 points for four cards of the samesuit under Rule 5, but also 3 points for each of the four sets of threecards of the same suit under Rule 4.

The set of cribbage rules may assign different point values for the cardcombinations listed herein without changing the inventive concept.Additionally, the set of cribbage rules may include additional rules. Byway of example, in a traditional cribbage game, a player may receive 1point for “Nobs,” which is a J of the same suit as a community card usedin the traditional game. While there is no community card used in thepresent invention, the set of cribbage rules could include a ruleawarding a point for “Nobs” in some other manner, such as permanentlyassigning the J clubs as “Nobs” and awarding 1 point if the player hand14 includes the J clubs.

Returning now to FIG. 1, evaluating the player hand 14 depictedaccording to the set of cribbage rules defined for the preferredembodiment yields a player score 16 of “25” as follows:

5 clubs + J clubs 2 points (Rule 1) 5 clubs + Q clubs 2 points (Rule 1)5 clubs + K clubs 2 points (Rule 1) J clubs + Q clubs + K clubs 3 points(Rule 3) 5 clubs + J clubs + Q clubs 3 points (Rule 4) 5 clubs + Jclubs + K clubs 3 points (Rule 4) 5 clubs + Q clubs + K clubs 3 points(Rule 4) J clubs + Q clubs + K clubs 3 points (Rule 4) 5 clubs + Jclubs + Q clubs + K clubs 4 points (Rule 5) Total: 25 pointsIt again merits note that the rules for the preferred embodiment may bealtered without altering the inventive concept. For example, the set ofcribbage rules may include only Rules 1 through 4, such that the pointtotal of the player hand 14 shown in FIG. 1 would be only 21 points. Itmatters only that the player receive a player hand 14 from which aplayer score 16 is calculated using a set of cribbage rules to practicethe present invention.

The player receives a payout 18 on the wager 12 if the player score 16exceeds a predetermined total 20. The predetermined total 20 is selectedto assure that a “house,” i.e., a casino or other game operator,receives an adequate return on the game to justify its implementation,while also ensuring the player receives a payout enough of the time tocontinue game play. The predetermined total 20, then, will be based onthe number of cards included in the player hand 14, and the set ofcribbage rules used to evaluate the player hand 14. The payout 18 willincrease as the player score 16 increases. Specifically, the payout 18will increase according to the odds of achieving a given player score16, and is thus also based on the number of cards and the set ofcribbage rules used.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a paytable 22including a plurality of scores 24 may be generated based on the odds ofachieving each of the plurality of scores 24. The paytable 22 may bedisplayed at the top of the video display 10, much like a traditionalvideo poker game. Following calculation of the player score 16 from theplayer hand 14, the player is awarded a payout 18 based on the wager 12if the player score 16 matches any of the plurality of scores 20included on the paytable 22.

It should be noted that the payouts 18, the predetermined total 20, thepaytable 22 and the plurality of scores 24 shown in FIG. 1 are includedonly for reference; the actual values for these elements of the presentinvention must be determined based on the number of cards and set ofcribbage rules used to play the game, as will be recognized by oneskilled in the art. For example, the predetermined total 20, “16” asshown, and the highest of the plurality of scores 24, “25,” as well asthe odds upon which the payouts 18 are based, may change drasticallywithin the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, the values included herein likely do not correspondexactly with the values that will be necessitated by using a four-cardplayer hand and Rules 1 through 5 above, as in the preferred embodiment.The values selected are only meant by way of example to explain the gameaccording to the present invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, another aspect of the presentinvention is shown on a video display 110. Following placement of awager 112, herein “1 credit,” a player is dealt an initial player hand114′. The player is then provided the option of replacing between noneand all of the cards in the initial player hand 114′ to create a playerhand 114 (shown in FIG. 2 b). As such, the player hand 114 may bereferred to as a final player hand 114 when a discard option isprovided. By way of example, the initial player hand 114′ shown in FIG.2 a includes: 5 diamonds, 5 clubs, 5 hearts, J spades. The player mayelect to keep the 5 diamonds, 5 clubs, and 5 hearts, and discard andreplace the J spades. A replacement card 126, shown in FIG. 2 b as 5spades, is then dealt to the player to create the final player hand 114.The set of cribbage rules is then used to evaluate the hand as follows:

5 diamonds + 5 clubs + 5 hearts 2 points (Rule 1) 5 diamonds + 5 clubs +5 spades 2 points (Rule 1) 5 diamonds + 5 hearts + 5 spades 2 points(Rule 1) 5 clubs + 5 hearts + 5 spades 2 points (Rule 1) 5 diamonds + 5clubs 2 points (Rule 2) 5 diamonds + 5 hearts 2 points (Rule 2) 5diamonds + 5 spades 2 points (Rule 2) 5 clubs + 5 hearts 2 points (Rule2) 5 clubs + 5 spades 2 points (Rule 2) 5 hearts + 5 spades 2 points(Rule 2) Total: 20 pointsThus, the final player hand 114 yields a player score 116 (shown on FIG.2 b) of 20 points. When compared to a paytable 122, it can be seen thatthe player score 116 exceeds a predetermined total 120, and thus apayout 118 will be awarded. From the paytable 122, it appears that apayout 118 of 10:1 is awarded for a score 124 of 20. Thus the playerwill receive 10×1 credit, or 10 credits, for the final player hand 114.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the present invention further includes a methodof playing a game according to the present invention. First, a wager isplaced by a player in box 200. A final player hand is then distributedto the player in box 202. The final player hand includes at least foursymbols. Next, a player score is calculated for the final player handaccording to a set of cribbage rules in box 204. Finally, a payout isawarded based on the wager if the player score exceeds a predeterminedtotal in box 206. The payout preferably increases as the player scoreincreases according to the odds of achieving a given player score asdescribed with respect to the game according to the present inventionabove.

The final player hand may be distributed using a discard option, inwhich case distribution of the final player hand occurs as shown in FIG.4. First, in box 202 a, an initial player hand is distributed to theplayer, with the initial player hand including at least four symbols.Next, in box 202 b, the player is allowed to discard one or more symbolsfrom the initial player hand. It should be noted that the player neednot discard any of the symbols from the initial player hand, in whichcase the initial player hand would be identical to the final playerhand. However, should the player choose to discard one or more symbolsfrom the initial player hand, replacement symbols are distributed asnecessary to create the final player hand in box 202 c. The methodaccording to the present invention can be played using a video displayor a tangible display. Preferably, the symbols are playing cards.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been describedin detail, it is to be understood that the terminology used is intendedto be in the nature of words and description rather than of limitation.Those familiar with the art to which this invention relates willrecognize that many modifications of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedin a substantially equivalent way other than as specifically describedherein.

1. A game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each ofsaid plurality of cards having a rank and a suit associated therewith,said game comprising: a wager placed by said player; a final player handincluding at least four cards; and a player score calculated for saidfinal player hand according to a set of cribbage rules; wherein saidplayer receives a payout based on said wager if said player scoreexceeds a predetermined total.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein saidpayout increases as said player score increases.
 3. The game of claim 1,wherein said payout increases according to the odds of achieving saidplayer score.
 4. The game of claim 1, further including an initialplayer hand including at least four cards, wherein said player mayreplace at least one card from said initial player hand to create saidfinal player hand.
 5. The game of claim 1, wherein said set of cribbagerules includes a rule awarding points for each combination of cards fromsaid player hand having ranks which sum to fifteen.
 6. The game of claim1, wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding pointsfor each pair of cards from said player hand having the same rank. 7.The game of claim 1, wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a ruleawarding point for each card from said player hand in a rank sequence ofthree or more cards.
 8. The game of claim 1, wherein said set ofcribbage rules includes a rule awarding points for three cards from saidplayer hand being of the same suit.
 9. The game of claim 1, wherein saidset of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding points for four cardsfrom said player hand being of the same suit.
 10. The game of claim 1,wherein said game is played using a video display.
 11. The game of claim1, wherein said game is played using a tangible display.
 12. A method ofplaying a wagering game using a group of symbols, said methodcomprising: placing of a wager by a player; distributing a final playerhand to said player, said final player hand including at least foursymbols; calculating a player score for said final player hand accordingto a set of cribbage rules; and awarding a payout based on said wager tosaid player if said player score exceeds a predetermined total.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein said final player hand is distributedaccording to the following steps: distributing an initial player hand tosaid player, said initial player hand including at least four symbols;allowing said player an option to discard one or more symbols from saidinitial player hand; distributing replacement symbols as necessary tocreate said final player hand.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein saidwagering game is played using one of a video display and a tangibledisplay.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said symbols are playingcards.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein said payout increases as saidplayer score increases, said payout increasing according to the odds ofachieving a given player score.
 17. A video cribbage game for play by aplayer using a plurality of symbols, said game comprising: a wagerplaced by said player; a player hand including four symbols; a playerscore calculated for said player hand according to a set of cribbagerules; and a paytable including a plurality of scores; wherein saidplayer is awarded a payout based on said wager if said player scorematches any of said plurality of scores included on said paytable. 18.The game of claim 17, wherein each of said symbols has a rank and a suitassociated therewith, said set of cribbage rules including rulesawarding points for at least one of: each combination of symbols fromsaid player hand having ranks which sum to fifteen; each pair of cardsfrom said player hand having the same rank; each card from said playerhand in a rank sequence of three or more cards; three cards from saidplayer hand being of the same suit; and four cards from said player handbeing of the same suit.
 19. The game of claim 17, wherein said paytableis generated based on the odds of achieving each of said plurality ofscores.
 20. The game of claim 17, wherein said symbols are depicted asplaying cards.